Their Study Tour elective involved a week-long journey to a partner university where the group participated in a range of practical activities with the aim of broadening their understanding of local customs and culture.

Griffith Online MBA student Lloyd Eley-Smith chose this tour elective because he was seeking a hands-on global experience. “I was going to learn more about visiting the country and experiencing the business culture first hand than I would have from home.”

He says he found the whole experience extremely worthwhile. “For me the most beneficial things were our visits to local workplaces and seeing the different attitudes to how business was conducted and portrayed to visitors. This was very different to what we were expecting to see coming from an Australian experience, (with workplaces in the Asia-Pacific) showing a lot more formality and less production”.

“On a more personal level, coming from the online degree, it was great to meet and spend time with some other students face to face and see that there really are people on the other end,” he continued.

Another student, Pauline Mason described the course as an invaluable addition to her postgraduate degree.

“The most beneficial part for me was how the trip broadened my understanding of the Chinese cultural context. I deal with numerous partners in the Asia-Pacific region in my role as a Marketing Executive, so it will really help me move forward in my career”, she said.

“The Study Tour is an excellent opportunity to broaden your perspective of doing business in the Asia-Pacific region and learn a range of other cross-cultural skills that will prove invaluable in any business, in any country”.

“The tour is the perfect mix of theory and practical application with industry site visits providing an in-depth perspective on the opportunities available for trade with this region,” she continues. “As business opportunities continue to increase in the Asia-Pacific region, the skills we learnt will only become more valuable in the future.”

The group also took part in eye-opening industry visits in Guangzhou, China where they were able to witness a local business in practice. They also learnt more about the evolution of these businesses within the emerging economies of the region, and spoke with the people instrumental in their success. Study aside, they also took the welcome opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, exploring attractions and experiencing the famous food culture which locals were proud to share.

Associate Professor Chris Fleming, Director of Griffith’s MBA programs has hosted the tour on two occasions – Seoul and Guangzhou/Hong Kong both in 2017 – and recognises the positive impact it can have on students’ study and work. “The MBA Asia-Pacific Study Tour elective is designed to enable MBA students to develop their understanding of doing business in the Asia-Pacific region,” he explains. “The week-long Study Tour gives students a first-hand experience in-country while visiting local businesses, meeting local trade development bodies and undertaking academic lectures at our partner Universities. The trip is enhanced with the addition of cultural tours and activities”.

“The Study Tour is a wonderful learning experience and gives our students great insights into doing business in Asia,” he finishes.